Opportunity international visa inc savings solutions expanding formal financial services in rural ug

OPPORTUNITY SAVINGS SOLUTIONS:

Expanding formal financial services to rural savings and loan groups in Uganda, a case study OPPORTUNITY BANK OF UGANDA LIMITED Project:

Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

Funder:

Visa

Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2015, Opportunity Bank of Uganda, Ltd. (OBUL), with support from Visa, piloted financial services to rural people offering those informal savings and loan groups. Rather than replacing these valuable informal groups (often referred to as Village Savings and Loan Association, or VSLAs), OBUL offered group savings and loan services that strengthen the groups by providing enhanced safety for their savings and increased liquidity for their lending services.

OBUL and other banks targeting the base of the pyramid recognize VSLAs as a good potential market as well as a vehicle for fulfilling financial inclusion goals. VSLAs provide a potentially strong vehicle for reaching the rural poor, thanks to CARE International and the many other organizations that have formalized and replicated what was a traditional African savings mechanism. CARE International in Uganda (CARE) was an essential partner in OBUL’s rapid development of appropriate services and outreach for VSLAs in Uganda. This case study describes OBUL’s experience to date with VSLA-Bank linkages, and offers some insights on issues currently facing banks and VSLA support organizations seeking to enhance financial inclusion through VSLA-Bank linkages.

OBUL’S VSLA PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Based on guidance provided by CARE, OBUL adapted its existing group savings product and devised a group credit facility specifically Principles of VSLA-Bank Linkages for VSLAs. Both products follow principles in VSLA-Bank linkages developed by  Groups are linked, not individuals CARE to promote bank services that  Linkage is demand driven not supply driven support and serve – rather than  Core principles of VSLA methodology are upheld undermine – VSLAs. To summarize,  Emphasis on member savings is maintained through a group account, group leaders  Member savings are not held as collateral are able to transact with the bank on  Only mature groups are linked behalf of the group, based on resolutions  Conservative savings to credit ratio is maintained signed by the entire group. At the  Prepare the groups before linkage moment, group leaders can transact at a (CARE International, 2012; OBUL Training, 2015) branch or through an Opportunity Bank Mobile Van that circulates in rural areas to serve more remote communities. OBUL “Other banks are far and transport is left to the will introduce electronic transfer services groups, but with OBUL they collect our money. once they are ready for roll-out (some are When we want to withdraw the group leader in a pilot phase as at publication) and once calls the OBUL officer and they bring the money groups are more comfortable with the for the groups by the mobile van.”

Bank. So far, OBUL’s financial education has focused narrowly on the features and benefits of OBUL’s bank services along - Leader of Nkobazambogo Savings and Credit Association (VSLA); banking at Nansana Branch. with how to open and use a savings account. OBUL had also started loan orientation training for a set of more advanced VSLA groups. OBUL is introducing services and training gradually, as advised by experts in VSLA-Bank linkages. In six months, OBUL has

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Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

worked with 10 VSLA support partners and 14 of its 19 branches to open savings accounts for 164 groups, and linking an estimated 3,280 rural Ugandans to formal financial services.

How do the VSLA products compare to other OBUL group products?

The savings product is a better product financially. There are no monthly fees, and there is interest of between 3% and 5% (per year) depending on the balance above UGX 100,000.

The credit product – as compared to solidarity group loans – is simpler for both parties to manage, and slightly lower cost. For the VSLA loan, only the leaders are required to provide identification and photographs – not all the members – and the loan is disbursed in one bulk payment to the group account. The interest rate is (currently) 2.25% per month (flat rate), as compared to 2.5%-2.75%, and the application fees are also lower.

VSLA Savings Account Opening, Deposit Making, and Withdrawal

Opportunity assigns a Relationship Officer (RO) to the VSLA to conduct trainings and also provide the VSLA with the list of required documents to open a Group Savings Account

Interested VSLAs contact the RO and arrange a meeting at the VSLA meeting at the Mobile Van or Branch to open the Group Savings Account

The VSLA takes collected savings from the group lock box, and gives it to their leaders to make the minimum first deposit into the account. The deposit can be made at the bank or through an Opportunity Mobile Van.

The VSLA then continues business as usual, collecting savings and giving loans to members. The group can make additional deposits or make withdrawals from the Group Savings Account – through the group leaders.

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Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

In the first six months, the main demand has 2016 Progress Update been for savings – especially towards the end As of January 2016, OBUL’s VSLA project of the year when the VSLA funds are typically has engaged a total of 425 VSLAs (an shared-out among members. Demand for estimated 8,500 rural Ugandans) through loans was anticipated to rise in the first half over ten partners, providing them with 2016, when VSLA group funds are low. As of financial literacy training and sensitization to July 2016, a total of 13 VSLAs have received the bank’s unique VSLA savings and loans community group loans. The eligibility for products, along with other financial services. receiving one of these loans is based on a VSLA’s historic performance, as assessed using a scorecard provided by CARE. The loan amount is based on the amount the group last shared. Groups with high scores can borrow up to two times the amount of their last share-out, but groups with lower scores may only be able to borrow 50% of the amount of their last share-out. Contrary to practice recommended by CARE, OBUL is not able to take the risk at this point of uncollateralized lending and does require groups to put 20% of the loan value as a security deposit in the form of compulsory savings.

This is one of only a few areas where OBUL is challenging current practices and recommendations.

MARKETING AND OUTREACH - PARTNERSHIPS The best and only avenue for banks to reach VSLAs is through partnerships with VSLA support organizations. Effective partnerships require mutual orientation and on-the-ground operations coordination because different VSLA support organizations work with different populations and have different objectives and rules. Based on the needs and readiness of their target “You have to visit these people from time to population, an organization may focus on time; you have to actually show up. Messages helping groups borrow, practically forbid and phone calls will not do for this rural borrowing, or focus equally on both savings population. They want to see you.”’ and loans. Working through 10 partners has - VSLA partner staff member been a challenge, but it has also opened OBUL to a diverse population of VSLAs.

WHICH TYPES OF VSLAS ARE BEING SERVED? The VSLAs and the demographics of their membership vary significantly and fall into three main groups to date— 1. Entrepreneurial: Very mature VSLAs whose members have established businesses and are driven to grow these businesses. These members are relatively financially savvy. For example, some entrepreneurial VSLAs have requested that interest rates be charged on a declining balance rather than as a flat rate. They are driven to do business with banks for the safety of their relatively large savings fund and to access loans for business growth.

2. Economically Stable: Mature VSLAs whose members are economically stable but would like to establish more lucrative enterprises or farm activities. Most members have little experience with formal banking or mobile money and are skeptical about the potential of a bank to help them. They are primarily driven by a concern for the safety of their growing savings funds and are interested in – but also fearful of – borrowing.

3. Vulnerable: Established VSLAs whose members are economically and socially vulnerable. Their financial focus is in establishing a viable livelihood and meeting their family’s basic needs like housing, health and education. Some of these VSLAs are seeking a safe place for their savings, and others are receiving matching grants to 4

Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

encourage savings and speed up the economic stabilization process. The bank offers a helpful mechanism through which the support organization can track savings deposited and deposit the matching grants.

“Formerly, groups knew that banks exploit people, but after explaining to them the benefits on the group loan like the low interest and also the interest earning on the savings from the bank, the groups are now gaining confidence to collaborate with OBUL.” - Badru, VSLA leader in Kakoge; banking at Nakagongola Branch

OBUL reaches these distinct populations through a number of unique partners. These populations have very different needs for financial education and are taking advantage of the banks’ services in a variety ways. So far, all are valued customers for OBUL.

WHAT TRANSACTIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE? During the first six months of offering the new group account designed for VSLAs, OBUL registered 164 accounts with an estimated 3,280 members.1 At the time of this report, the majority (83%) of the VSLAs had already placed savings into their accounts, while 17% were still in the process. The highest savings balance as of October was $5,304, and the average VSLA Account Balances amount was $307. With a minimum opening balance of $14, 21% of the accounts held Under exactly the minimum opening balance, Minimum Over 31% indicating that they had yet to transact. Of the Minimum active accounts, 79% had made transactions, 48% with 48% ending the period with balances over the minimum, and 31% under the minimum.

Just under one third (31%) had balances over 100,000 Uganda Shillings (UGX) or $28 (USD), Minimum and were therefor able to earn interest on their 21% savings.

Number of Accounts

Estimated # of VSLA Members

% Active

164

3,280

83%

High Balance UGX US$

18,563,419 5,304

Average Balance UGX US$

1,075,051

307

Some 25 accounts belong to groups that are not “new” to OBUL, but who were eligible for and opted to use the new account-type.

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Expanding Formal Financial Services to Rural Savings and Loan Groups in Uganda

VISA’S VISION FOR DIGITAL FINANCE Visa enables money to move electronically, quickly, securely, and conveniently, in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. This reach and scale make Visa’s network and services a powerful platform to advance financial inclusion. During the last several years, 300 million Visa accounts have been issued to previously underserved people around the world.

Visa is working with our clients, governments, non-governmental organizations and a wide array of private sector organizations to provide another 500 million people with a digital payments account by 2020.

Researchers and Authors: Doreen Isoke, DEMIS Consults Mary Pat McVay, Research & Knowledge Manager, Opportunity International-US Cecilia Arias-Kahoun, Researcher, Opportunity International-US Project Implementers: Alex Katende, Microfinance Supervisor and “VSLA Champion,” Opportunity Bank of Uganda, Ltd. Rogers Kaketo, Head of Marketing and Business Development Opportunity Bank of Uganda, Ltd. Simon Senyonga, Marketing/Business Development Project Manager, Opportunity Bank of Uganda, Ltd. Karri DeSelm, Program Manager, Opportunity International On the Cover: Passbooks, cash, buckets and a lock – typical elements of a VSLA in Uganda.

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